In 118 days · Sat, Oct 31, 2026
When
Saturday, October 31st, 2026
Where
300 8th Avenue, Bowling Green KY
Distances
Marathon · Half
About this race
Race Overview
- Event Date: 2026-10-31
- Location: 300 8th Avenue, Bowling Green, KY
- Race URL: bg26.2 & half marathon
- Proceeds: All proceeds from the bg26.2 & half marathon go to the National MS Society in memory of Susan B. Riherd.
Course Details
- Certification: Boston Marathon qualifying USATF Certified Course
- Course Description: The course starts (and finishes) at the Bowling Green Ballpark and runs a 13.1 mile loop through historic downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky and the beautiful campus of Western Kentucky University.
- Start Time: Start time for the bg26.2 & half marathon is 7:00 a.m. Central Time.
- Checkpoints: Marathoners will run the course twice: 5 checkpoints for marathoners and 2 for half marathoners.
Event Categories
- Available Events: Marathon, Half Marathon, 6k (bg6000)
- Time Limit: There is a 6 hour time limit on the race.
- Pace Requirement: Marathon participants must maintain a 14:00min/mi pace or reach the halfway point within 3 hours.
- Course Support: There will not be any course support or police service/protection after the 6 hour mark.
Expo & Pasta Dinner
- Packet Pick-Up: Saturday, October 31st at Bowling Green Ballpark from 5 - 7pm.
- Race Day Packet Pickup: Sunday, November 1st 6:00-6:30am at BG Ballpark Concession Window.
- Pasta Dinner: Free to each paid participant: guests may purchase $3 tickets at the door.
Course Information
- Race Maps: Map and printable turn-by-turn instructions are available here.
- No Strollers or Dogs: No strollers or dogs are allowed on the course.
Important Race Guidelines
- Open Course: The bg26.2 is an open course with vehicles on accessible side streets.
- Headphones Policy: We suggest the bg26.2 "one-ear" policy: Leave your left ear free.
- Cyclist Policy: No unauthorized cycles are allowed on the course.
- Bibs Visibility: Bibs must be placed on the front and visible at all times for accurate timing.
Awards
- Overall Finishers: Awards determined by gun times: chip times for other awards.
- No Awards Ceremony: Look for the bg26.2 awards tent on the concourse area to claim your award.
- Marathon Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for male & female finishers and age group winners.
- Half Marathon Awards: Similar awards for male & female finishers: age groups specified.
bg6000 Highlights
- Race Distance: The bg6000 is a unique 6k race course starting the same place as the marathon.
- Start Time: Start time for the bg6000 is 7:15 a.m. Central Time.
- Awards for bg6000: Overall Male/Female finisher and age group awards.
bgKIDS
- Fun Run: The bgKIDS26.2 fun run will take place Saturday, October 31st.
- Distance: Participants will run two laps around the concourse for a total distance of one kilometer.
- Start Time: Start time for the bgKIDS is 4:00 p.m. Central Time.
Parking
- Free Parking: Available at the Stadium Park Plaza parking garage adjacent to Bowling Green Ballpark.
- Private Lots: Some nearby parking lots are private: ensure they are free to avoid towing.
- Public Parking: Utilize public parking at the Stadium Park Plaza parking structure or BGMU parking lot.
No Refunds
- Refund Policy: bg26.2 & Half Marathon does not offer refunds: all registrations are final.
Transfers / Deferrals
- Transfer Policy: Transfers and deferrals can be completed in the RunSignUp race dashboard: a fee will apply.
- Last Date for Changes: Transfers or deferrals must be finalized by October 15, 2026.
- Contact for Questions: Email registration@bg262.com.
Course map
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